Special Statement on The Anniversary of The 1990
Multi-Party Democratic General Elections
(1) The 1990 Elections which were a
landmark in the Burma political scene as a victory of the people is celebrating
its 22nd Anniversary. History can neither be erased, nor can it be
substituted, or ignored. The black mark that had stained the State Law &
Order Restoration Council (SLORC) which had refused to acknowledge the results
of the elections and convene the Parliament also followed the State Peace &
Development Council (SPDC) into history. Furthermore the current U Thein Sein
government, elected under the 2008 Constitution, is also tarred with this same
brush. As long as the present government and the Pyidaungsu Hluttaw do not
acknowledge the results of the 1990 elections in a practical manner this will
remain, and continue to be, a political problem waiting for solution.
(2) At the 1990 Elections there were
27 political parties who won more than 1 constituency and 6 independents. Out
of 485 constituencies, the National League for Democracy (NLD) won 392 seats.
The remaining 26 parties and independents won 93 seats. Before the 2010
Elections there were altogether 10 legally registered political parties. This
is the manifestation of the true aspirations of the whole populace of the
country. Therefore we are of the opinion that the onus to find a solution to
the 1990 Elections results with not only the current government in power and
the Pyidaungsu Hluttaw but also on the elected representatives who had received
the mandates from the general public and the then political parties.
(3) The Speaker of Pyidaungsu Hluttaw,
U Khin Aung Myint, spoke casually that the results of the 1990 Elections are
acknowledged. We cannot accept this statement as it was made without any sense
of responsibility and devoid of any practical measures and spoken outside of
the regular Hluttaw session. It is just another deception on the electorate,
the political parties concerned and also on the elected representatives.
(4) The current U Thein Sein
government is basically a government that inherited the Roadmap of the
SLORC/SPDC and no more but a quasi-military government. Based on the experience
of the on-going armed conflicts in the Kachin State and the rules and
regulations of the current sessions of the two houses of the Hluttaw- which are
convened under the provisions of the 2008 Constitution- we are of the opinion
that there still exist many constraints to change the clauses in the 2008
Constitution and transition to a truly democratic system.
(5) We acknowledge that changes are occurring
in both the political and economic arenas in Burma. But these changes are not
changes in essence and politically which not yet on the path to democracy. So
long as the clauses that do not conform to democratic norms in the Constitution
are not amended it cannot be said that Burma’s political scene had changed.
(6) We welcome the activities to bring
about ceasefire between the ethnic nationalities and the government and also
efforts to bring peace and tranquility to these areas. However, we also do not
believe that the current strategies of U Thein Sein government’s- (1) agreed to
ceasefire, (2) set up a political party, (3) contest the elections, (4) become
active in the current Hluttaw activities- a Hluttaw elected on the basis of the
2008 Constitution- are conducive to bring about genuine peace in the country or
will solve the remaining political problems. We are of the opinion that
political activities, both inside and outside of the Hluttaw, should be
conducted in mutual respect and recognition of each other to face the current
political situation in the country.
(7) To bring about national
reconciliation, internal peace and solution to all outstanding political
problems we are of the opinion that a National Convention should be convened to
comprehensively address the following:
1. Comprehensive ceasefire all over
the country
2. General Amnesty
3. Release of all remaining political
prisoners
4. Participation of all stakeholders
at this National Convention
According to the decision by the
weekly Skype meeting on May 20, 2012,
Executive Committee
Members of Parliament Union (Burma)
Dated: May 27, 2012
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